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Australian Matt Sandford had probably the most dominant stretch in Highland Games history. Winner of five straight World Championships (99, 00, 01, 02, 03), this former wire hammer thrower burst onto the scene and never looked back. An innovator in training (ask about his hammer and weight training pieces), Sandford would train in the middle of the night to prepare his body for competing in the U.S. As it stands, Sandford remains as one of only four men to ever win five titles.

Scotland's Bruce Aitken was best known for his hammers (in true Scottish fashion) but in 2004 he brought home the ultimate prize - the World Championship. Aitken cemented his spot in history that weekend with a staggering light hammer throw of 154'6". In 2000, he set the then world record in the light hammer at 156'8". With wins at Halkirk and Bremar, Bruce was no stranger to taking home top honors in the sport's more competitive fields.  Aitken and his late brother, Stephen, are arguably the best brother combination this sport has seen. They can largely thank their father for...

When you talk about all-time greats, Ryan Vierra tops the list. This winner of five World Championships also finished runnerup six more times. Vierra was an 11-time US Champion, setting a few world records along the way, and won a staggering 250+ professional competitions; let that number sink in for a moment. Vierra won his first World Championship in 1996 and his last in 2006; and when he finally hung up the kilt, cemented almost two decades of dominance. 

I walked down the parking lot ramp and did my best to act like I knew where I was going. As a bigger dude, I stick out more than most people, so I've found it best to walk briskly and act like I know exactly where I'm going and my plan when I get there. You see, if you're a guy of girth and are seen lumbering your way along a sidewalk or hallway, you're instantly labeled as someone who struggles with the little details in life; like long division and clothes matching. Just as I was about to round the corner, the security...

Frustrated, I threw my hammer boots into my bag. “What’s the deal? Why can’t I throw this stupid event like I used to? What has changed?” I was having another heated discussion with myself, and it was ending in a scolding.I often talk to myself, especially at throws practice, but this conversation went beyond technical cues and self-motivation; this was a conversation more along the lines of, “McKim, what have you done, and how do you get back to where you’re supposed to be? Where you used to be?”I think this is a conversation we all have with ourselves from...